What Distinguishes Microsoft's "Majorana 1" Quantum Computing Chip From Others?
Microsoft's New Quantum Computing Chip: Microsoft claims to have created a whole new form of quantum particle called Majorana.
What Distinguishes Microsoft's "Majorana 1" Quantum Computing Chip From Others?
On 19th February, Microsoft introduced Majorana 1, the world's first quantum chip powered by a new Topological Core architecture that produces more reliable and scalable qubits (the building blocks of quantum computers).
Majorana 1 is seen by the tech behemoth as a watershed moment on the path to practical quantum computing. During a YouTube podcast, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that the business will be able to construct a quantum computer between 2027 and 29.
In fact, over 2 decades, Microsoft researchers have taken a unique approach by focusing on developing topological qubits, which are said to be more stable than traditional qubits and require less error correction from the start.
However, the company said that it faced many obstacles in creating topological qubits as it “posed a steep learning curve." The disadvantage [was] that until recently the exotic particles Microsoft sought to use, called Majoranas, had never been seen or made."
Therefore, to bring these new particles into existence, Microsoft said it first set out to build topological conductors or topoconductors. Unlike traditional semiconductors that are usually made of silicon, Microsoft’s topoconductor is made of indium arsenide. This is the same material used in infrared detectors.
According to Chetan Nayak, Microsoft Technical Fellow, “We took a step back and said, ‘OK, let’s invent the transistor for the quantum age. What properties does it need to have?”
“And that’s really how we got here—it’s the particular combination, the quality, and the important details in our new materials stack that have enabled a new kind of qubit and ultimately our entire architecture,” he added.
In a nutshell, this new measurement approach is so precise that it can detect the difference between one billion and one billion and one electrons in a superconducting wire." the company said, adding that this measurement process makes it possible to build a more scalable quantum machine
